Tune Up Your Warrior

Jenny Chen
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

As a lifelong learner, I believe that understanding different perspectives is key to growth. Tune Up Your Warrior is a space where I invite warriors in their fields to dig into the topics that shape our world, challenge our beliefs, and impact everyday people. No lip service. No performative actions. No fake conversations—just real, honest dialogue with guests who bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. Each episode, we explore stories that matter—whether it's navigating identity, challenging norms, or confronting the complex realities of our industries and communities.

  1. Nadia Ferrara | Humanizing Bureaucracy: Reimagining Policy Through a Human Lens

    6h ago

    Nadia Ferrara | Humanizing Bureaucracy: Reimagining Policy Through a Human Lens

    This July 1 episode of Tune Up Your Warrior is not a surface-level Canada Day conversation. It is a deeper reflection on humanity, dignity, compassion, and what it means to build systems that do not just function, but actually see people. Jenny sits down with Nadia Ferrara, whom she first met while speaking on a panel together for International Women’s Day on Parliament Hill. What began as an instant personal connection grew into a meaningful friendship grounded in shared values around leadership, humanity, and the kind of world they both want to help build. Nadia brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to this conversation. Her path spans art therapy, work with Indigenous communities, more than two decades in the federal public service, ombudsperson roles, and large-scale leadership in cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, compassion, and people-first systems. In the episode, she shares how an Indigenous elder encouraged her to step into government as what she calls a “compassionate bureaucrat,” and how that has shaped her mission to humanize bureaucracy from the inside out. These same themes are central to both your recap and the original episode outline. Together, Jenny and Nadia explore trauma-informed leadership, cultural humility, belonging, authentic leadership, consequential accountability, and the importance of creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. They also talk about the need to separate basic human dignity from political ideology, and why systems only change when the people inside them are willing to lead with empathy, integrity, and hope. This is a conversation about humanity as infrastructure, hope as practice, and the kind of leadership that leaves people feeling more human, not less.

    46 min
  2. Barbara Cartwright | Animal Rights and Redefining What a Humane World Looks Like

    Jun 24

    Barbara Cartwright | Animal Rights and Redefining What a Humane World Looks Like

    What does it actually take to change systems, not just conversations? In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada, to explore the intersection of policy, advocacy, and leadership — and why compassion is far more strategic than we give it credit for. Barbara has played a key role in shaping some of Canada’s most significant animal protection reforms, including: The ban on whale and dolphin captivityStrengthening penalties for animal crueltyAdvancing legal protections for service animalsSupporting the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal CrueltyBut this conversation goes beyond legislation. Together, they unpack: The link between violence against animals and violence against peopleWhy policy change requires patience, relationships, and persistenceThe challenge of advocating in systems that often dismiss compassion as “emotional”How deeply rooted societal issues — including bias, discrimination, and power — show up in how we treat animalsBarbara also shares insights from her work with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and the lasting influence of Dr. Jane Goodall’s philosophy — particularly the idea that hope is not passive, but something we actively build together. This episode reframes advocacy as disciplined, strategic, and deeply human work. If you’ve ever wondered how real change happens — or felt overwhelmed by the complexity of it — this conversation will ground you in both truth and possibility.

    51 min
  3. Leslie Anderson | Rising to Excellence: Leadership, Resilience, and the Cost of Silence

    Jun 17

    Leslie Anderson | Rising to Excellence: Leadership, Resilience, and the Cost of Silence

    In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Leslie J. Anderson, a senior financial services leader, 2024 VersaFi Champion of Change, cancer survivor, and someone whose leadership has left a lasting impact on the people around her. VersaFi’s Champions of Change Award recognizes leaders helping advance women in Canadian finance, and Leslie’s recognition reflects the advocacy and sponsorship she has brought to the industry. For Jenny, this conversation is deeply personal. During one of the hardest chapters of her career, when she was navigating discrimination and trying to make sense of what she was experiencing, Leslie was one of the people who reached out to check in. And she shared a line that has stayed with Jenny ever since: “Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. Mediocre people will always try to pull you down to their level. But all we can do is rise to our excellence.” That moment became part of the standard Jenny still holds herself to today. That same story and quote sit at the center of your episode intro draft. Together, they talk about meaningful leadership in inclusion, the difference between performative support and real advocacy, the cost of leadership, the resilience required to hold onto your sense of self in environments that do not always make space for your excellence, and the difficult question of why some leaders go silent when things get hard. They also explore what accountable systems actually look like, what courage requires in today’s climate, and what it means to keep rising in environments that try to shrink you. Those themes are all built directly into your episode outline. This is a conversation about excellence, integrity, resilience, and the kind of leadership that refuses to go quiet.

    41 min
  4. Josh Dorfman | The Climate Economy Is Already Here

    Jun 10

    Josh Dorfman | The Climate Economy Is Already Here

    What if climate action did not have to feel like sacrifice? In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, I sit down with Josh Dorfman for a conversation about climate innovation, sustainability, and why the future does not have to be framed as deprivation in order to be meaningful. Josh brings both deep professional credibility and a refreshingly practical lens to this conversation. He has spent years working at the intersection of climate, business, and innovation, and now helps spotlight companies that are proving sustainability can be both scalable and profitable. In our conversation, he shares his personal origin story, including how time spent in China sparked a deeper awareness of the challenge of raising living standards sustainably on a finite planet. What I appreciated most about this conversation is that Josh bridges something so many people struggle with, myself included: the gap between knowing climate change matters and feeling like the solutions are either too complicated, too political, or too daunting to really understand. Together, we talk about why climate solutions are often mistakenly framed as suffering and sacrifice, when in reality, many of the most exciting innovations are about efficiency, profitability, and building a better future. Josh shares examples like Planted, a company he built with two former SpaceX engineers that turns perennial grass into carbon-negative building materials, and BrainBox AI, which helps make buildings more energy efficient at scale. We also talk about electrification, renewable energy, electric vehicles, the role of business in driving change, and why the most effective climate conversations are often the ones that meet people where they are. This is a conversation about innovation, accessibility, practicality, and the opportunity to reframe climate action as something hopeful, smart, and achievable. To learn more about Josh and his work, visit: https://getsuper.cool/about/https://getsuper.cool/about/

    42 min
  5. Marc Forgette | Reconciliation Through Identity, Belonging, and Building Forward

    Jun 3

    Marc Forgette | Reconciliation Through Identity, Belonging, and Building Forward

    In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Marc Forgette, an Anishinaabe educator, speaker, and founder of Makatew Workshops. Marc is a proud member of the Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, belongs to the Bear Clan, and is currently learning the language. Through his work with Makatew Workshops, he leads cultural awareness workshops, speaking engagements, and conversations focused on Indigenous education, inclusion, and reconciliation in practice. Together, Jenny and Marc explore Indigenous culture, reconciliation, and how we create safer, more human spaces for learning. Marc shares the story behind launching Makatew Workshops six and a half years ago after noticing a lack of Indigenous representation in hospitality conferences, and how that work has grown into creating spaces where people can learn through hands-on experiences, ask honest questions, and build deeper understanding. They also discuss what genuine reconciliation looks like in practice, the distinction between cultural appreciation and appropriation, and why land acknowledgments only matter when they are delivered with care, authenticity, and intention. Marc emphasizes that reconciliation requires both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples working together, and that meaningful learning often begins with courage, curiosity, and a willingness to ask questions without shame. The conversation also highlights how powwows, Indigenous cuisine, and community spaces can offer meaningful ways for everyone to experience and appreciate Indigenous culture firsthand while supporting Indigenous businesses and relationships in the process. Marc also invites listeners to check out the Summer Solstice Powwow, taking place June 20 and 21 at Wesley Clover Park, 401 Corkstown Road. Everyone is welcome. This is a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation about culture, connection, reconciliation, and the kind of understanding that grows when people are willing to engage with openness and respect. To learn more about Marc, visit: https://www.makatew.ca/

    55 min
  6. Trevor Lui & Abby Albino | Expanding the Narrative: Identity, Belonging, and Being Asian on Our Own Terms

    May 27

    Trevor Lui & Abby Albino | Expanding the Narrative: Identity, Belonging, and Being Asian on Our Own Terms

    Expanding the Narrative is a live AAPI Heritage Month panel recorded at STACKT’s Asian Night Market. In this special episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny Chen is joined by Trevor Lui and Abby Albino for an honest, layered, funny, and thoughtful conversation about identity, belonging, visibility, stereotypes, mental health stigma, representation, and what it means to take up space on our own terms. Trevor Lui is an entrepreneur, chef, author, and hospitality leader whose work has helped shape the cultural and culinary landscape of Toronto. As President and CEO of Highbell Hospitality Group, co-founder of Quell, and Chair of Destination Toronto, he brings a powerful lens on storytelling, community-building, and creating spaces where culture is truly valued. Abby Albino is a brand strategist, builder, and community-minded leader whose work sits at the intersection of sport, culture, and purpose. Through her leadership in brand and business strategy and her work as co-founder of Makeway, she brings a thoughtful perspective on identity, belonging, and building platforms that reflect people more honestly and fully. Together, they explore family expectations, cultural pride, the tension between fitting in and fully being yourself, and the importance of making room for fuller, more nuanced Asian stories. This is not a performative conversation. It is a real one. The kind that opens doors, widens the room, and reminds us there is no one way to be Asian. Special thanks to STACKT, Highbell Hospitality Group, Quell Now Inc., ALLNXNE Productions Inc., Isaac Bobb, Brian Tong, and MILO’s Doan Nguyen for helping bring this live recording to life.

    30 min
  7. Karen Ta | Beyond the Bamboo Ceiling: Why Intersectionality in Leadership Matters

    May 20

    Karen Ta | Beyond the Bamboo Ceiling: Why Intersectionality in Leadership Matters

    In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Karen Ta for a thoughtful conversation about intersectionality, identity, and why leadership conversations fall short when they treat women or Asian professionals as a monolith. Karen Ta is passionate about helping those who feel invisible become visible so they can break through doors and ceilings. While she is best known for her role in leading a Women in Leadership program at PwC Canada, she is also an Associate Certified Coach, a Chartered Professional Accountant, and a Certified Training and Development Professional, bringing a unique blend of active listening, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving to the way she supports others. Together, Jenny and Karen explore why the corporate world so often groups people together in ways that erase nuance, why the “bamboo ceiling” conversation needs to evolve, and how Asian women navigate the compounded realities of race, gender, culture, and visibility in leadership. They also talk about the tension of being Canadian-born Chinese versus immigrant Chinese, the feeling of never being “Asian enough” or “Western enough,” and the need for organizations to move beyond representation counts toward real power, sponsorship, and structural change. Those themes are central to the episode outline as well, especially the call to move past numbers and simplistic diversity framing toward actual leadership transformation. This is a layered, honest conversation about identity, belonging, leadership, and what it takes to stop waiting for permission to lead.

    39 min
  8. Sarah Chamberlin | Storytelling, Stigma, and Why Discomfort Is Necessary for Change

    May 13

    Sarah Chamberlin | Storytelling, Stigma, and Why Discomfort Is Necessary for Change

    On this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Sarah Chamberlin, communications strategist and founder of Pin Drop Communications. With a background in leading complex communications in high-impact environments, Sarah brings a grounded, real-world perspective on how organizations navigate reputation, leadership, and trust in moments that matter most. This conversation explores: What effective communication actually looks like in high-stakes environmentsThe gap between intention and impact in leadership messagingHow organizations can build trust instead of just managing opticsThe emotional and human side of communications work that often goes unseenWhy clarity, accountability, and courage matter more than polished messagingSarah also shares her journey into launching her own consulting practice, and what it means to step into ownership of your voice, your work, and your impact. This is a conversation about leadership, communication, and the systems behind both, not just what we say, but how and why we say it. Learn more about Sarah and her work here: http://pindropcomms.com/

    38 min
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About

As a lifelong learner, I believe that understanding different perspectives is key to growth. Tune Up Your Warrior is a space where I invite warriors in their fields to dig into the topics that shape our world, challenge our beliefs, and impact everyday people. No lip service. No performative actions. No fake conversations—just real, honest dialogue with guests who bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. Each episode, we explore stories that matter—whether it's navigating identity, challenging norms, or confronting the complex realities of our industries and communities.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Chen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jenny Chen
  • Show Website
    Tune Up Your Warrior

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